But it seems that even Pope Francis cannot say anything against the ban imposed on women priests by the Church. “The Church has spoken and says no … that door is closed,” said the Pope to the reporters.

The Church's all-male priesthood has garnered a lot of criticism and condemnation for years. People expected that Pope Francis, who seems to be a lot more accommodating than his predecessors, would show a little flexibility on the subject of woman priesthood. Turns out, he is a Vatican head after all. And this is probably something that requires an even more accommodating Pope than Pope Francis.

According to news reports, this was the first time Pope Francis, who is the first non-European pope elected in 1,300 years, had spoken publicly on women in the priesthood. While he maintains that women should have more leadership roles in administrative and pastoral activities, Pope Francis says that there can never be an option for women to join priesthood.